Defending champions Rangpur Riders posted a competitive total of 158 for 5 against Dubai Capitals in their third match of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League at Providence Stadium in Guyana on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Riders made one change to the starting eleven, bringing in Saif Hassan in place of Yasir Ali.

However, the start was far from ideal as opener Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed for just one in the very first over. Kyle Mayers, coming at No. 3, looked in good touch during a brief 37-run stand with Soumya Sarkar, but perished after a brisk 19 off 11 balls.

Soumya, meanwhile, provided some fireworks with four sixes in his 36-run knock off 28 deliveries but couldn’t convert it into a big innings, falling to Shakib Al Hasan while attempting a fifth maximum.

Mahidul Islam Ankon, promoted to No. 4, struggled to find rhythm and managed only 11 off 15 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s rough patch with the bat continued as he added just 8 from 13 balls.

At 104 for 5 with just 5.2 overs remaining, Riders needed a strong finish—and it came in the form of Iftikhar Ahmed and captain Nurul Hasan. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 54-run partnership off just 32 deliveries to give Rangpur a fighting total.

Iftikhar remained composed, scoring 41 off 32, while Sohan finished with a late flourish, smashing 34 off just 18 balls, including two sixes and a boundary in the final over bowled by Gulbadin Naib.

For Dubai Capitals, Shakib Al Hasan stood out with the ball, conceding only 16 runs in his four overs and picking up the crucial wicket of Soumya. Dominic Drakes, Rohan Mustafa, Qais Ahmed and Gulbadin Naib chipped in with a wicket each.

Rangpur Riders will now look to defend the 159-run target and secure a third successive win to maintain their perfect run in the tournament.